Oberlin Stories Project
We have collected hundreds of personal narratives from students, alumni, faculty, and staff that explain the merits and strengths of Oberlin through the eyes of those who have experienced it firsthand.
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![Peter with his son as a toddler.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/peter_rathjens_81.jpg?itok=_5qXo_-o)
On watching his son attend Oberlin
“As much as Jake’s experience is distinct from mine, I’m glad that Oberlin is in no rush to move past the values and culture that provided me with so much 25 years ago, and that are serving Jake so...
Peter Rathjens ’81
![People outdoors with flowers and ballons. One is wearing a monkey head.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/david_weasley_06.jpg?itok=xVQlnZpd)
On getting married at the Big Parade
“I love the combinations of people at the Big Parade, the way someone will walk up to you and say, “Excuse me, sir, will you wear this giant carrot costume?””
David Weasley ’06
![Juliette stands atop a high cliff, with mountains and sky behind her](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/juliette_lu_12.jpg?itok=blXie8Zf)
On interning at a hedge fund
“I had preconceived ideas of finance as a lofty, entirely mathematical, robotically exact, and overall boring kind of field. In no way, shape, or form would I have predicted that I would end up where...
Juliette Lu ’12
![Group of about 10 people strolling along a path](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/alex_darr_08.jpg?itok=_QDNbham)
On Christianity at Oberlin
“I learned so much. I became a true leader. I learned how to make decisions as part of a team. I learned to be a peacemaker between friends... I discovered a lot more about who God is.”
Alex Darr ’08
![Rachel looks at a garden of tall, yellow flowers.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/rachel_parnell_16.jpg?itok=scMg_GHm)
On an unforgettable moment
“Although Kim Katrin Milan did not teach me the politics of radical love, I cannot help but acknowledge that she illuminated what was already so present in my life and the work that I wish to do. ”
Rachel Parnell ’16
![Eva wears gloves while handling photographs in a file room](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/eva_fineberg_16.jpg?itok=w4ZvNLRQ)
On building websites for the Oberlin College Archives
“My time in the archives department in Mudd Library allowed me to apply my coursework in computer science to a fascinating niche of Oberlin College’s history.”
Eva Fineberg ’16
![Two students wearing 'SITES' shirts sit in a circle with young children in a school classroom](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/leah_goldman_13.jpg?itok=UpQcFKje)
On teaching Spanish
“Teaching in SITES taught me to be patient, creative, and willing to make mistakes. But I became more confident as a teacher every day I saw my students become more confident in their learning.”
Leah Goldman ’13
![A musical duo with acoustic guitar and soprano saxophone](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/andrew_flachs_11.jpg?itok=LnqHmzDh)
On their Winter Term project
“Touring as the saxophone and classical guitar duo Syzygy proved to be a defining moment in both of our burgeoning musical careers.”
Andrew Flachs ’11
![Sam rides atop an improbably tall bicycle.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sam_quintal_06.jpg?itok=RUjFcwLJ)
Elizabeth Myers Houston on her housemate Sam
“...the picture of him in his fancy clothes on his cobbled-together bicycle struck me as a perfect summary of Oberlin: ingenuity, skillfully creative awesomeness, and musical excellence, all...
Sam Quintal ’06
![Orchestra on stage at Carnegie Hall](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/hannah_levinson_09.jpg?itok=uNAKsBuG)
On playing Carnegie Hall
“I never truly understood the relationship between a conductor and an orchestra until I played under Robert Spano ’83.”
Hannah Levinson ’09
![Rugby players run downfield. The one with the ball appears fearless.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/marne_litfin_07.jpg?itok=P-CWkRkC)
On her first day of practice with the women’s rugby team
“These were, I realized while I stood apart from them, the strongest and craziest women I had ever met. I had to be one of them. I didn’t know if I had it in me, but I couldn’t leave without trying.”
Marne Litfin ’07
![A violinist plays at the center of a tightly positioned ensemble](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/avery_waite_10.jpg?itok=cWErWktE)
On Oberlin’s Contemporary Music Ensemble
“In this new music, I heard nothing, only an ugly idiom that my ear could not, would not grasp... Then something happened that I’ll never forget.”
Avery Waite ’10